The regular meeting of the Miramichi River Valley Council met in the Council Chambers at 19:00hrs March 8, 2023 with Mayor Russell presiding.

BRING MEETING TO ORDER:

The Mayor brought the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

GUESTS: John Glidden with EMO gave a presentation to council on procedures during an emergency.

John Carney voiced concerns on the condition of Highway 420 and he also had questions regarding tax assessments and the budget.  Mayor Russell has a meeting with Department of Transportation on March 20 to discuss road issues and clerk will work on budget information.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA                 

It was moved by Councillor Sharon Vickers & seconded by Councillor Hallihan to approve agenda as circulated. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to adopt the minutes, as circulated, of the Regular Council meeting February 8, 2023.  MOTION CARRIED

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

NIL

ATTENDANCE

Councillor Jeffrey Sheasgreen was absent.

CORRESPONDENCE

Council has received all correspondence either through email or hard copy in their mail boxes.

BILLS & ACCOUNTS

Moved by Councillor Brennan second by Councillor Morgan Vickers that the bills in the amount of $32,523.66 be paid. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: ALL REPORTS ARE ATTACHED

BY-LAWS: Second and Third Reading of the updated procedural bylaw will take place in new business.

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Councillor Hallihan reported that he and Mayor Russell met with the Blackville Fire Department on March 7 to assure members the new council is supporting the department.  They are planning to meet with Renous and Sunny Corner Departments in the near future.  Estimates on new bunker gear will be collected.

Councillor Hallihan will also be contacting the Fire Marshall’s office requesting a presentation on the importance of keeping fire equipment updated to save tax payers money on insurance, etc.

Chief Sturgeon gave fire report for February 2023.  Total manpower available (20), Call responded to within village during month (0), call outside village (0), training session held (2); New equipment: Replacement battery and pads for AED; Equipment Not in Service: NIL

RCMP: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that he filled out a survey from the RCMP asking what they should focus on throughout the year.  Councillor Sheasgreen stated that the main focus in our area would be drugs and theft.

EMO:  Presentation from John Glidden with EMO discussing the powers council has during an emergency and how to proceed.

DOG CONTROL: Councillor Sheasgreen reported that he spoke with the animal control officer for Miramichi and he isn’t interested in providing service for our area.  Tony did give a suggestion on who would be interested in the job.  We will be in contact with the individual to discuss wages, etc.

STREET LIGHTING: Councillor Gillespie reported that she has been approached about adding streetlights to the end of the Parker Road.  This is believed to be the Department of Transportation’s duty.  Contact will be made to discuss.

LEISURE SERVICES: Councillor Morgan Vickers had nothing to report.

RECREATION: Councillor Brennan reported that a meeting is set for March 17 to try and get people involved in the Blackville Recreation council.  Plans for the Blackville Days dance are coming together.  Working on getting a special events liquor license.  No contact from Renous or Sunny Corner on anything going on.

AMBULANCE NB:  Councillor Gillespie reported that the old radio system will be coming back.  This will help with calls and response time.

TOURISM:  Councillor Sheasgreen reported that a tourism meeting was held on Feb 15 with business owners.  Anyone who would like to join the tourism committee was asked to turn in their information and they would be contacted about upcoming meetings.  A discussion was held on being involved with the city as part of the tourism advertising for the Miramichi River Valley.  Another meeting will be held in April.

CANADA DAY:  Councillor Brennan reported that she received a quote on the fireworks for June 30.  The jumping castle and face painters are booked.

BEAUTIFICATION: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that she is looking at different ideas to bring some beautification to the area. 

PARK: Councillor Brennan reported that she has a meeting next week with AZ Speed Solutions to discuss converting the lamp posts in the park to solar.  We may qualify for a 30% tax rebate from the federal government.

UNSIGHTLY PREMISES: Councillor Darlene Gillespie will be meeting with the property owner of an abandoned business to discuss their plans for the property.

FINANCE: Mayor Russell reported that he is hoping to have more clarification on the budget in the near future.

BUILDINGS: Councillor Sharon Vickers had nothing to report on buildings.  Heating in the community centre to be discussed under new business.

Councillor Sheasgreen reported that he met with Kevin Hubbard and got a set of keys for the Sunny Corner Firehall and the electrical room, elevator, upstairs office, and kitchen.  Mr. Hubbard was asked to forward any concerns to Councillor Sheasgreen or Councillor Hallihan.  Mr. Hubbard provided a copy of a government document stating that any 3^rd party using any of the buildings or halls will require liability insurance.

SEWER: Councillor Sharon Vickers reported that she spoke with Dana Hogan regarding the wastewater system.  Dana does testing twice a week on the system and reports to the office.  The Department of Environment visits at least once a year to inspect the lagoon.  Had an issue with the road to the lagoon not being plowed.  It has since been plowed and issue resolved.

PUBLIC WORKS: Councillor Hallihan voiced concerns over the condition of Highway 420 and will attend the meeting with DTI on March 20.

Regional Service Commission: Mayor Russell reported that the last RSC meeting was on Feb 22, 2023.  Topics of discussion were GMRSC procedural bylaw and terms of reference for advisory committee.  The board will select consulting firm to complete the GMRSC regional strategy.  The next board meeting will be held on March 22, 2023. 

Mayor Russell sits on four of the five committees which are public safety, economic development, tourism, and waste reduction/recycle.

Publicity & Promotion:  Mayor Russell had nothing to report.  Our Facebook page is updated with events.

NEW BUSINESS:

(9.1) Community Centre Heat

A discussion was held on the amount of ice build up on the community centre.  It needs to be assessed to determine why we are having these issues.  Clerk is to contact a contractor to inspect in the Spring.

(9.2) GED Room Rent

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Sharon Vickers to reduce the rent to $200 per month for the GED room since it is currently not being used.  This amount will stay in place until September 2023.  MOTION  CARRIED.

(9.3) Fire Hall Renous

Moved by Councillor Hallihan, seconded by Councillor Brennan to keep the old Renous/Quarryville fire hall as an asset at this time.  MOTION CARRIED.

(9.4) Blackville Fire Department Applications

Moved by Councillor Morgan Vickers, seconded by Councillor Gillespie to accept Robert McCrae as a volunteer firefighter with the Sunny Corner fire department.  MOTION CARRIED.

(9.5) Bylaw #5 Procedural Bylaw

SECOND READING

Moved by Councillor Morgan Vickers, seconded by Councillor Brennan to approve Bylaw #5. MOTION CARRIED

THIRD READING

Moved by Councillor Brennan, seconded by Councillor Sharon Vickers to approve Bylaw #5.  MOTION CARRIED.

Moved by Councillor Brennan to adjourn the meeting at 20:50 hours.